Truck trailer cable connector structure

Abstract

A trailer cable connector structure, particularly a plug-formed connector, includes an insulation casing having a plurality bores axially extending therethrough to each receive and fix a conductive bar therein. The casing also has a plurality of radial openings in communication with the bores. Each of the conductive bars has a first cavity and a second cavity respectively formed on two axial ends thereof, the first cavity being adapted to receive a terminal pin of a mating socket therein and the second cavity having an inner circumferential groove and being sized to receive an conductive pin therein. The conductive pin has a wire physically and electrically connected thereto. The conductive pin has a radially-projecting barb formed thereon which has an inclined surface and is elastically deformable for facilitating the insertion of the conductive pin into the second cavity of the conductive bar and to allow the barb to engage the groove in order to prevent the conductive pin from disengaging from the conductive bar. The circumferential groove is provided with a radially-extending hole aligned with the respective radial opening of the casing so as to allow a slender tool to be inserted into the second cavity for depressing and disengaging the barb from the groove. Inner threading may be provided on the radially-extending hole to engage a bolt for directly securing the wire inside the conductive bar without using the conductive pin.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A trailer cable connector structure comprising: an insulation casing having a plurality of bores extending in an axial direction and completely through the casing;   a plurality of conductive bars respectively fixed inside each of the bores, each of the conductive bars having a first and a second axial ends with a first cavity and a second cavity formed thereon, the first cavity being adapted to engage a corresponding portion of a mating connector and the second cavity having an inside surface on which a circumferential groove having an inclined side is formed; and   a plurality of conductive pins respectively received within the second cavity of each of the conductive bars, each of the conductive pins having wire securing means to secure a wire thereto and establish electrical connection with the wire, each of the conductive pins having a radially projecting barb having an inclined surface and being elastically deformable to facilitate insertion respective into the second cavity of the respective conductive bar for establishing a surface contact therebetween and to allow the barb to engage the circumferential groove after the insertion to prevent the conductive pin from disengaging from the conductive bar, the inclined surface of the barb being engaged by the inclined side of the circumferential groove to further provide a surface contact between the conductive pin and the second cavity of the conductive bar.   
     
     
       2. The trailer cable connector structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insulation casing has a plurality of radial openings respectively communicating each of the bores and wherein the circumferential groove of each of the conductive bars has a radial hole extending in a radial direction therefrom to be substantially aligned with the respective radial opening of the insulation casing adapted to receive a slender tool to insert into the second cavity of the conductive bar for depressing and disengaging the barb from the circumferential groove and thus allowing the conductive pin to be separated from the conductive bar. 
     
     
       3. The trailer cable connector structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hole that radially extends from the circumferential groove of the second cavity of each of the conductive bars comprises an inner threading adapted to engage a bolt. 
     
     
       4. The trailer cable connector structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trailer cable connector is made in the form of a plug adapted to be received in and engaged with a socket-formed mating connector.